A 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted on her way to school at Eastside High in Lancaster early Thursday. That night, parents and students were urged to be extra cautious in wake of the attack. Jane Yamamoto reports from Lancaster for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Dec. 14, 2012. (Published Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012)

Detectives are searching for a man who sexually assaulted a 14 year-old girl on her way to school in Lancaser early Thursday morning.

Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris has offered a $5,000 reward leading to the apprehension of the suspect.

The girl told Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department detectives she believed she was being followed while walking to school at 6:15 a.m. in the 2000 block of East Avenue J-8 (map).

She tried to get away from the suspect when he grabbed her and dragged into some bushes where he proceeded to sexually assault her, according to press release issued by the department. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

When the man stopped his assault, he fled on foot toward 20th Street East and then across a desert field. The girl went to a local residence where she contacted authorities.

"No weapon was seen by the victim. Very few words were said by the suspect," Sgt. Brian Hudson said.

The attacker is described as a black man with dreadlocks, 30 to 35 years old, about 5-feet-7-inches to 5-feet-8-inches tall.

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Special Victims Bureau are handling the investigation and are seeking the public's assistance.

Anyone who may have additional information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Bureau at (877) 710-5273 or SpecialVictims@lasd.org.

Anonymous tips to "LA Crime Stoppers" can be made by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

$5K Reward in Case of Teen Sexually Assault on Way to School

Detectives are searching for a man who sexually assaulted a 14 year-old girl on her way to school in Lancaser early Thursday morning. Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris has offered a $5,000 reward leading to the apprehension of the suspect. Jane Yamamoto reports from Lancaster for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Dec. 13, 2012.